Loosen
Loosen
“Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.”
1 Corinthians 3:18-19
It’s hard to not indulge in this world - mostly, well, because we live here.
Temptation, indulgence, desire and want overtake us because we are surrounded each and every day with things of the world.
Television, radio, podcasts, people, conversations, friends and family all provide opinions, persuasion and influence in our every day life.
All of this can cause weight on us. And this weight can cause us to loosen our grip on God.
You cannot, cannot, cannot, hold onto this world and God at the same time. Ever. Never.
If you let the things of this world grab you, you will grab back and when you do this, eventually, you will loosen your grip on the things that were once important to you in your relationship with God.
A hobby or interest or even work takes more of your time that you used to devote to Bible reading or devotions.
Friends and family obligations start to take time away from church.
Your sleep and eating habits can slowly whittle away at prayer time.
Once you let go of something it is hard to get a good grip on it again - but not impossible.
Where is your relationship with God now?
Are you loosely holding on so it could slip out of your hand at any moment?
Are you holding it tight because you’ve let go before?
No matter what your grip is on your relationship you can strengthen it through daily exercises that represent your obedience and commitment to God.
-Read your Bible daily. Many times.
-Pray. Often.
-Be fed the word of God biblically.
-Surround yourself with like-minded believers.
-Trust the Holy Spirit.
Don’t let go of the eternity of God to grab the temporary world. Tighten your grip on Him that saved you and loosen it on a world that can pull you away.
-Recognize the strength or weakness in your relationship.
-Strengthen the weaknesses. Build upon the strengths.
-Be an example for someone else.
“And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
John 8:23, 31-32
“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.”
John 3:17, 19-20
“These things I command you, that ye love one another. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”
John 15:17-19